OUR VERSION OF “I CAN SHINE” BIKE CAMP

iCan Shine Bike Camps are an amazing program for kiddos with special needs.  

Approximately 80% of the people who participate in iCan Bike program learn to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle independently (at least 75 feet with no assistance) by the end of our five-day program while attending for only 75 minutes each day! 

Unfortunately, the nearest iCan Bike program is 60 minutes away, and the cost for two little boys would be rather expensive.  Plus our boys might be a bit young yet for the program this summer.

That is why we are doing our own version of 

iCan Shine Bike program:

1.  Buy training wheels for Abigail/Lydia's little girl bike- not sure what happened to our boy bike.  Sorry, Ben and Jonah...this is what happens to tail enders!

2. Buy good bike helmets.

3. Put kid on bike.

4. Give him a push down the driveway and see what happens...just kidding.  We held on to bike and ran with him!

Jonah actually did pretty good.  Ben was too scared to do anything more than sit on the bike.  

Have I mentioned before that for all Ben's toughness, he is actually a huge chicken?  Most things Ben is too scared to try while Jonah is an absolute dare devil with no fear in him!  What a funny combo!

Anyway, it's our first try at learning the bike.  The boys are too big for the bike trailer, double stroller and tricycle so this is the next logical step for them.  

We'll see how it goes.

Link to iCan Shine Bike Program

DOUBLY BLESSED!

I am very blessed that a few weeks ago I could celebrate having the best mom in the world.  

And now this weekend, I get to celebrate having the best dad in the world.  

Also, I am doubly blessed because I can also say my own children can also celebrate they have 

the very best dad in Andrew.  

What a lot to celebrate and be thankful for!

I think this quote fits my father perfectly.  The way he has lived his life as a husband, father, grandfather, friend to many, hard worker, and valued member of church and community has taught me how to live my life in a way that brings glory and honor to the Lord.  

My father is a man of great integrity and much love.

I can best describe my childhood (besides being great fun!) as knowing that my dad was always there for my mom and us kids.  This is still true to this day even though we are all a lot older :)  

I am so thankful to my dad for all his love, work and service to my mom, his children, his country, 

and to his job.  

Thank you!  I love you Dad!

As I said earlier, I am blessed that Andrew models the same thing for our kids that 

my dad modeled for me.  

Thank you Andrew, and 

thank you Lord for that blessing!

The following excerpt is written by Rick Thomas.  

In the first part, he discusses the things our heavenly Father does for us, His children.  Then he says that our earthly fathers have the privilege of pointing their children to the Lord by how they hopefully love and care for their children in the same way.  

I thought this was a beautiful description of what God wants for fathers and their children.    

The Father Loves – The love of God is profound. It was His love that motivated Him to send His Son to death. Love is a prominent character trait of the Father. Is your child more aware of your displeasure with him or your affection for him?

The Father Pursues – God the Father is a relentless Redeemer. His Son went to death to bring you to life. He pursued you until salvation, and His care for you continues. Is your child more affected by the redemptive nature of your relationship or is he more affected by the lack of spirituality in your relationship?

The Father Gives – A key component of the gospel is the time, planning, and preparation the Father imposed on Himself to pull off our redemption. From Genesis 3:15 to Galatians 4:4 and beyond, you see the activity of God on your behalf. Does your child experience quantity and quality time with you, both of which have a redemptive effect?

The Father Corrects – God the Father brings you from death to life. Nothing is more transformative than this, but He does not stop at redemption. He continues to bring correction for your good and His glory. Is the correction you bring to your child redemptive–does it compel him to want God more?

The Father Cares – Even the Jews were amazed at the care of God (John 11:36). If the pagan world is aware of the care of God, shouldn’t your children be even more aware of your care for them? How does your child experience your practical and redemptive care on a daily and weekly basis?

The Father Leads – You understand the Father’s way of leading from a biblical perspective. Here are some clues to how the Lord leads: serving, last, least, death, and others. All of these characteristics were key components in the Savior’s leadership style. In what ways does your child experience your servant leadership and in what ways is it having a redemptive impact on his life?

Call to Action

Dear Dad, your impact on your child is generational. You have the privilege of giving your son or daughter one of the greatest gifts a dad could give: a beautiful picture of God the Father. Apply Paul’s advice: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:9

Link to complete article by Rick Thomas

SUMMER CHECKLIST

 1.  School is done!  Abigail finished her 3rd year of college, Stephen his 1st yr of college, Lydia her sophomore year, and the boys finished 2nd grade.

2. Summer school starts.  The boys are taking music, art and basketball for summer school which is every morning, 6-10 thru 6-28.

3. Swimming lessons run from 6-17 thru 7-12.  

4. VBS is set for the last week of June.  The possible problem might be that the boys have summer school in the morning, swimming from 12-1, and then VBS in the afternoon.  That is too much in one day plus no time for lunch.  I think we will end up having the boys miss the beginning of VBS.

5. Miracle League Baseball on either Monday or Thursday nights.  The boys are on the Cardinals team.  We are seeing a big improvement in hitting from last year to this year.

6. Hot weather- NOT.  Today's high was 58....our pool isn't even up and running yet.  Because of the cooler temps, we aren't in a rush to get it ready.  

7. Lydia starts her summer job as a bank teller!  Very proud and excited for her.

8. Stephen working the grounds crew back at the golf course which means very early mornings for him.

9. Abigail isn't home this summer.  She is working an internship in the Twin Cities.  We miss her!

10. Vacations- the family vacation this summer is Andrew and the 3 older kids are going on a mission trip with our church to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona.  They will be doing a day of sightseeing at the Grand Canyon. 

First week of baseball in the books!

Lydia's first day of work at the bank in the books!

Stephen's stuff from college back in the house!

GOTTA CAPTURE THIS!

Ben’s speech is amazing!  He has come a long way this past year.

This video has me prompting him to say these words.  But he actually says these words and phrases on his own, all day long!

So proud of him!

SADLY, IT IS REALLY TRUE

We have often told people that if Ben hadn’t been adopted, he would have been transferred to an adult mental institution in his country.  He most likely would have spent the rest of his life there because children become very hard to access for adoption after that transfer.

Sometimes I can’t even believe that truth.  What kind of life would a 5-6 year old boy have in a mental institution?  How sad, how bleak, how devastating.  

I can’t imagine what Ben would be like today if the past 3 years he had been in that institution versus where he is now after being home in America for 3 years.  He has come so far!  I’m afraid he would have lost so much if he had been forced to move from the orphanage to the institution.

But this is the truth.  

I was reminded of this when I read a FB post from a family who adopted a year before us from the same orphanage.  Because their child had a good friend at the orphanage that had been transferred out, this couple asked to visit the mental institution during their time in country.  They visited with the children at the institution, including their son’s friend.  They have photos.  

Sadly, the fact of transfer at 5-6 years old to a mental institution is really true.

Thank you Lord for rescuing Ben from this terrible reality.  Thank you he is home with us: happy, safe, and flourishing!  It is truly a miracle!

PLEASE REMEMBER WHY

A day off from school and work...a three day weekend...day to plant flowers...fun with family and friends...burgers and brats...

Please remember Memorial Day 

is more than these things.

HAPPY!

  

First, Happy Ben!  

Ben and Jonah went on a field trip with their 2nd grade class this week.  

We debated whether we should even send the boys on the field trip because we worried the museum might be a hard place for them to stay engaged (and out of trouble-haha!).  

However, because we have such great faith in our amazing school staff, we knew that some how these wonderful women would make the field trip work for our boys.  And they did!  

The boys had so much fun!  From the bus ride to the museum, to the horse carriage ride, to the picnic for lunch, and just hanging out with their peers, the boys rocked this field trip!  

As you know from reading this blog, the boys have very different personalities.  Jonah tends to always be pretty happy and excited about life.  Ben tends to hold back a little, often acting mad rather than let his guard down and being happy.  That is why I am sharing this photo of Ben from the bus trip to the museum.  The look of pure joy and happiness on his face is one he doesn't let us see often.  I think this photo is soooo beautiful because it shows Happy Ben!

I included this next photo because it shows how wonderful kids can be.  The two classmates on either side of Ben are holding Ben's hands while they ride on the horse carriage.  Isn't this sweet?  I wish I could show you the entire photo because it would show all three kids smiling and laughing and having FUN!  Ben and Jonah are very blessed that they have a peer group that is getting to know them and love them and support them.  

That is the blessing of inclusiveness!

Now for the second happy:  

HAPPY 21st Birthday to our Abigail!  

From this amazingly cute little baby girl

 

To this amazingly beautiful, kind, smart, and wonderful daughter and big sister:

 

We love you so much and are so proud of all your hard work at college the past 3 years.  You have a bright future ahead of you because you are such a bright and incredible person!

Happy 21st Birthday!

Photos from the birthday party for Abigail.  We celebrated with my mom and dad at the rehab center.

Our two Happies!